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Shanahan: Albert Haynesworth 'will be with our team on Sunday' (updated)

Updated at 4 p.m.

Defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth, again the subject of trade reports this week, will be on the roster Sunday night when the Redskins kick off the regular season against the Dallas Cowboys at FedEx Field, Coach Mike Shanahan said Wednesday afternoon.

"If he wasn't here, I think you'd call me a liar, wouldn't you?" Shanahan said while addressing the media at Redskins Park. "And you'd have the right to do that. Okay?"

The Redskins and Tennessee Titans are reportedly in talks about Haynesworth, who has stirred frustration in the organization since last season. For months, Shanahan and General Manager Bruce Allen, Shanahan's second in command in the football operation, have denied reports that the Redskins have engaged in trade discussions about Haynesworth, who requested to be traded in June while skipping the team's only mandatory minicamp.

Most recently, Haynesworth angered coaches because he failed to participate in a halftime adjustment meeting during the Redskins' final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, three people familiar with the situation said. He also did not join other defensive linemen in reviewing pictures of the Arizona Cardinals' blocking schemes and stood apart from his teammates along the sideline. Haynesworth, however, has not attended halftime meetings throughout his career, said people who know the nine-year veteran well.

On Monday, Haynesworth and Shanahan met after practice, multiple Redskins sources said. Shanahan does not comment on his private meetings, but he spoke in general terms Wednesday about his relationship with Haynesworth.

"You might not think we ever communicate, but we do sometimes," Shanahan said. "Even though the sources have not talked about us communicating."

After the final preseason game, Haynesworth declined a reporter's interview request. He also has declined multiple interview requests this week during media availability at Redskins Park.

Let’s see how JReid & Co spin this to more controversy……next post should be along these lines:

“Although coach said that he will be with the team, he wouldn’t confirm that he would even be playing. This all stems back to albert missing all of the ota’s and sources within the organization confirm that the coach is still very frustrated and acknowledge that trade talks are ongoing and that he could be deactivated. Actually, nobody came on record to say that he WOULDN’T be deactivated, so the possibility that he won’t play remains very viable”…

liked your spirited defense of Shanahan and the culture he is trying to establish.

Here's the funny thing about Shanahan. For a 'my way of the highway' guy, he's actually gone after plenty of talented guys that were known problems. Most famously, he drafted Maurice Clarett, when no one else would even consider it.

Shanahan follows the cold tradition of talent first, character second. There are several coaches that garner enough respect so that marginal guys fall in line. Shanahan is one of those. In the offseason, for example, Larry Johnson and Clinton Portis fell in line, while Albert didn't. The jury is still out on guys like CR22 and DeAngelo Hall are really bought in, but I think they have.

JReid is now reporting that Haynesworth's primary responsibility will be to make sure teammates are drinking enough Gatorade and to organize all cups and coolers. He will then be required to take care of all dirty laundry after the game. JLC has confirmed this report.

Because if he doesn't all this bravado and Sam Rothstein running the Tangiers like stunts he's pulling, will fall on deaf ears by year three and Danny and the fanbase will want his ass gone.

Where or where will all you wide-eyed, seated legs crossed in front of you, chin in palm like Shanahan is reading you The Polar Express fans will be then? Probably violently shredding your 2014 Super Bowl Champion Christmas cards you just had made and purchased a few days ago.

Sports reporting has been so terrible lately. I see the point Mike was trying to make. Reporters writing stories without verifying the facts. The last month has been the worst month in Sport's Journalism. Even this story leaves out part of what Shanahan stated and he said Albert had another great practice and he will be with our team Sunday. If you can't report the facts straight you need to pick another profession.

"Here's the funny thing about Shanahan. For a 'my way of the highway' guy, he's actually gone after plenty of talented guys that were known problems. Most famously, he drafted Maurice Clarett, when no one else would even consider it.

Shanahan follows the cold tradition of talent first, character second. There are several coaches that garner enough respect so that marginal guys fall in line. Shanahan is one of those. In the offseason, for example, Larry Johnson and Clinton Portis fell in line, while Albert didn't. The jury is still out on guys like CR22 and DeAngelo Hall are really bought in, but I think they have.

Posted by: zcezcest1 | September 8, 2010 3:37 PM | Report abuse"

Exactly. He'll always accept talent, provided they work for him. CP and LJ worked. Haynesworth hasn't. He'll give them a shot, but if they don't take advantage then they're done.

People up here act like he's got a cold vendetta against Haynesworth and would never allow him to succeed. BS. Hayneworth was given every opportunity to do so. Shanahan couldn't run AH's fitness test for him. Shanahan couldn't play hard for AH in the 4th preseason game. Shanahan couldn't keep Albert healthy when his knee flared up 2 days into camp. AH has nobody but himself to blame.

IMO both Shanny and AH have handled this just fine since the start of training camp. Its your own fault how much you want to read into BS rumors and hacks like jried and hang off every word.
Hes here and he will play, shannys here and he will coach. All is well.

"a psps23 post on how Shanahan is the alpha and omega and the greatest head coach since the advent of the forward pass... how surprising...

Posted by: RedDMV | September 8, 2010 3:42 PM | Report abuse"

Hah, Red.

I've been pulling for Shanahan since the 2008 season ended. When the Cutler fiasco went down, I openly stated my preference for Shanahan to come on board, even going so far as to say I didn't care if we traded for Cutler and got rid of Campbell in the process (and you know how I like Campbell as a QB). I made it known then that Shanahan was one of the two greatest active coaches at the time (the other being Belichick). And that was before we witnessed the Jim Zorn disaster season.

Nothing has changed on that front. Shanahan is still one of the two best coaches active, and one of the GOAT in general. Just so happens he's now coaching the Redskins. This is not a homer appeal by me.

The question about Fat Albert as I see it right now is not "Is Albert the best player on our D-line?". Certainly if he puts his full effort into it the answer is yes.

To me, the question is "Will Albert give a full effort to help the Redskins defense?". From the way Albert has behaved during the entire offseason and preseason, right now I would have to believe that the answer is NO.

8 year vets dont show their worth during the offseason or preseason they do it during the REGULAR season which is where we are now. Judge him them. I thought he played well for us last year, others disagree.

With all of this talk about trading AH wouldnt it be in the best interest of the team to put him in a better position to succeed to drive up his value to another team. All these leaked reports of how he is a cancer seems a little counterproductive to me.

With all of this talk about trading AH wouldnt it be in the best interest of the team to put him in a better position to succeed to drive up his value to another team. All these leaked reports of how he is a cancer seems a little counterproductive to me.

It's his history. Every time Albert's been in a position where he needs performs well to get what he wants he's done so. He did it as a junior in HS to get a scholarship to Tenn. HE did it as a junior in college to get drafted in the 1st round. He did it as restricted free agent to get his monster contract. He could do it now to get the hell out of DC.

With all of this talk about trading AH wouldnt it be in the best interest of the team to put him in a better position to succeed to drive up his value to another team. All these leaked reports of how he is a cancer seems a little counterproductive to me.

How can it be acceptable for anyone to refuse to listen to coaches during a game? In any other business that type of behavior by a contract employee would raise breach of contract issues. The new CBA should address the issue of players who are under contract but make no effort to perform their duty. In these cases it should be permissible to allege breach of contract and appeal to an arbitrator for compensation, including givebacks. To be fair, the new CBA also should deal with "voluntary" workouts that are in fact not voluntary.

If the goal is to play well so that someone will be interested in trading for him, why didn't he start that process in the preseason? If he had played well and dominated in AZ, there is a chance he could be the hell out of DC already.

Your coverage of our team leaves much to be desired. The Post Beat writer has gotten progressively worse. Not expecting you to be a fan like us, but good lord, can you find no other stories on this team? And can you do it without telling the whole world who is lining up where in practice. Shanny was right to give you clowns the business on Monday!

I'm not one for dissertations so I'll be brief.
- We don't know what Wade Phillips or anyone else would have done with that team.
- Art Shell did OK with that Raiders team after Shanny left.
- Shanny didn't win sjk with CP rushing for all those yards.
- If he was so great why did Bowlen fire him? In 10 years after Elway, the Broncos only made the playoffs 4x. That's only one more than our beloved Redskins over that same period.
- Shanahan is not the second coming you're trying to make him out to be.

C'mon..it's 4th preseason game. The only motivation for AH was to not get injured. If you were a GM would you send a 2nd or 3rd rounder for AH after watching him kick some 3rd or 4th string player's butt? I think Tenn is waiting to see how he plays during the regular season before meeting the Skin's demands. That's what could motivate AH.

I have no doubt that if some opposing player took a cheap shot at him, that he'd make a nice profit. Why? Because the fine the NFL would administer would be a lot less than the amount of money other players would kick in to pay it. Albert's hurt the cause of the players in upcoming contract negotiations -- and every single player knows it.

Every contract Albert signs after this one finishes will be for 1 year. Every owner knows that Albert only plays hard so he can get paid in the next contract. So unless Albert is in a contract year, he's not worth it. The only way to get him to play hard is to make every year the last year of his contract. 1 year deals only.

Albert had a chance to break that perception this year. There is still a chance, though its somewhere between slim and none and Slim seems to be heading out of town.

Albert has plenty of enemies and very very very few friends in this world. It is self inflicted -- and very very sad.

-I thought your stance was that any coach could have won with that Denver team?
-What does Art Shell have to do with Shanahan as a coach? Jon Gruden won a Super Bowl with Tony Dungy's Bucs, doesn't make Dungy less of a coach.
-Shanahan had 2 winning seasons with Portis as his RB: one with Griese as his QB, the other with Plummer as his QB, neither of whom are still in the league.
-Bowlen fired him because he thought Shanahan had gone stale. It will end up being the biggest mistake of Bowlen's ownership.
-As I stated before, Shanahan is still one of the top 2 coaches in the NFL, both in objective credentials and in subjective analysis by many experts. It's your prerogative to believe that isn't enough to override a disruptive talent like AH.

This is all supposition and conjecture based on nothing but your personal feelings. What facts do you have to support this conclusion? If a guy has proven he can ball, he's going to get paid. Ask Revis and Mangold. Do the Kellen Clemens' of the world hate players who hold out for more money and force others who are less valuable to the team to take pay cuts. It's the Jamarcus Russells of the world that hurt the players pockets. There's going to be a rookie pay scale now.

I clearly understand what Shanny is tryna do but enough is enough...the game is 4 days away. Let's trade him 2day or lets get the man on the field. NO DISTRACTIONS!!! They said there will be no cases of distractions then what the hell is this? 4 days before a game? And believe it or not the players are thinking the same thing...SO GET OVER IT SHANNY or trade hime 2day PERIOD!!!!! Lets whip Dallas with or w/o him.

I think Tenn is waiting to see how he plays during the regular season before meeting the Skin's demands. That's what could motivate AH.

Posted by: TWISI | September 8, 2010 4:41 PM |

So let's play out the logic of your comment. AH is motivated to have a mofo game against Dallas, sacks Romo a couple, the Skins beat the Boys, etc., etc. Off of that kind of performance the Titans up their offer and AH gets shipped to Tenn. And every fan in DC is saying "WTF?!?!?!?!".

So let's play out the logic of your comment. AH is motivated to have a mofo game against Dallas, sacks Romo a couple, the Skins beat the Boys, etc., etc. Off of that kind of performance the Titans up their offer and AH gets shipped to Tenn. And every fan in DC is saying "WTF?!?!?!?!".

Posted by: LibertyValence

Thats exactly my point so why wait ship him out now or shut-up and play him. Because if he kills it in the C-girls game and has a big game then we ship him out...we will all say WTF!!! So Thank You...

I only saw part of the Jets preseason game, and Albert looked good for much of it -- and the defense only gave up 3 points in the half. I didn't like him playing DE (to my surprise), but he was often disruptive on the interior ... and that's critical to this defense

But, until Sunday ....

I have no idea if he is in shape or out of shape, if he's capable of playing well or not. If he gets the system he's in or not. for all that he's been on the field, he's kind of a mystery.

and fwiw, can someone explain to me how you cut Henson, so he's out on waivers. Then he clears waivers and we IR him. Why doesn't he just go straight to IR? Are the Skins saving $$ on him? And since he got cut, isn't he a FA?

I know its inside kind of stuff, but I'm not following how you cut a guy and then IR him.

Posted by: kaasmaster | September 8, 2010 5:17 PM
Elway never had the offensive complement under Reeves that he had under Shanahan. He never had a back like TD. His receiving corps didn't include a HOF TE. The defenses on those earlier SB teams weren't that good either. And TD's draft position had nothing to do with him as a player. He was not some plug-in guy as your comment suggest. He had a 2000 yard season. What other back did Shanahan plug in for 2000 yds?

@Alan4 Thanks. So you're saying Shanny wasn't even as good over ten years as St. Joe was over 4? That hurt's psps's position not mine.

Z, Revis and his guaranteed $32M say hi. That's close to what Albert was guaranteed right?

Posted by: learnedhand1

Bit less, Albert was locked into $41million for 3 years, Revis is a bargain. Still, what does that have to do with the CBA negotiations coming up? Because that's where Albert's behavior will hit the players.

Lets hope the "negotiations" between Us and Tennessee went like this...."We have to see if AH still has "it" before we give you that much for him."...."Hey Al, if you want to go to Tennessee, you have to do this against Dallas, then you get your trade. Otherwise, you're stuck here."......and big Al goes crazy on Dallas, we get our win, and he gets his trade!"

Completely agree about the above comments re: the atrocious state of sports journalism, especially here at WaPo. Nothing but re-blogging of unsubstantiated drama, which has nothing to do with X's and O's anyway.

I may have to raise my prediction to 7 sacks after hearing that. Our D line is going to have a field day.

Posted by: HokiesSkins

Raiders sacked romo 5 times in the 1st half (if I recall correctly), and that was with kosier in the lineup. I think colombo got beat twice. He threw once at Nnamdi. Woulda been picked, too, if the WR didn't play darn good defense.

Still, it was the 1st week of preseason, but it doesn't sound like its gotten better in dallas.

Do you honestly think the Cowboys are game planning for Adam Carriker or Kemo? They know there is one guy who could wreck their season and it is not Orakpo. If you fail to double AH, you could be finishing the game with your backup QB.

Z, first you said NFL players don't like Albert because of his offseason. You have nothing to support that claim. Now name one agent you talked to that told you this. The NFLPA and the owners have been negotiating. Haynesworth's deal has not been the issue. The primary issue has been the league trying to take back the players' cut of the league's revenues and the rookie wage scale. The owners were going to opt out of the CBA before the Haynesworth deal because they didn't like the CBA to which they agreed.

Terrell Davis was a 6th round pick. More proof that Shanahan can put almost any RB into his scheme and turn them into a big time player.

Posted by: kaasmaster

Actually it was putting any running back behind an Alex Gibbs coached Oline. When Gibbs left Shanahan the leagues best running game went with him to Atlanta. The running stats slowly regressed every year after Gibbs leaving to the two lowest totals in Shanny's regime the last two years before he was fired.

Look at the stats at the teams before and after Alex Gibbs and it is amazing the difference he makes to a running offense.

"Haynesworth, however, has not attended halftime meetings throughout his career, said people who know the nine-year veteran well."--RI

Oh, that makes it okay then. The guy has had 28 SACKS in his entire career and he's a major disruptive force off the field more than on.

He can't walk from here to the desert tray without wheezing. He's out of shape, horrifically overpaid, and has caused an immense distraction at Redskins Park on DALLAS week.

He's forced all the RI readers who hate the storues about him to read those stories to tell us that they hate all those stories about him. Meanwhile McPoop can't stop farting, RedDMV still hates everyone, and phoney Al Haynesworth gets his feathers ruffled.

It's a damn circus here--what's not to love?.

Oh, wait, I forgot, it's all the Media's fault. Because they didn't get HIS side of the sto,..oh that's right he didn't have a comment--his boat was waiting.

Haynesworth being haynesworth is ok. Expecting him to be anything else is idiotic. If you don't want that type of player then you don't get him. But, to get and then act like your better than him is again idiotic

Haynesworth being haynesworth is ok. Expecting him to be anything else is idiotic. If you don't want that type of player then you don't get him. But, to get and then act like your better than him is again idiotic

psps23 appears to think Mikie walks on water. In actuality, he's all wet.

As for Haynesworth, no team is going to give anything more than a fourth round pick, tops, for him. Doesn't have much to do with what Haynesworth has done, but the Redskins, thanks much to Reid, have given the impression that they want to get rid of him, and teams are patiently waiting for the price to drop or AH to be released.

He's playing for us this week b/c of his contract. We didn't have to pay him some of his contract b/c he missed mandatory OTA's. If, however, he is on the roster Week 1 we owe him a chunk of his contract (not sure the exact number.) The Titans know this so they will take him next week in order to be free of that contract expense. We won't cut him for obvious reasons. He'll be outta here next week or the week following for sure.
Why don't we try to put together a trade package to San Diego that includes Haynesworth for Vincent Jackson. Even though VJ won't play for a couple weeks at least he will be solid and want to be a Redskin. Who knows what we'll get with Hanynesworth if we keep him .

Why don't we try to put together a trade package to San Diego that includes Haynesworth for Vincent Jackson. Even though VJ won't play for a couple weeks at least he will be solid and want to be a Redskin. Who knows what we'll get with Hanynesworth if we keep him .

Posted by: ljhartnett24 | September 8, 2010 6:32 PM

Maybe we could have AJ Smith throw in Mcneil, Ryan Matthews, and Castillo too?

Z, first you said NFL players don't like Albert because of his offseason. You have nothing to support that claim. Now name one agent you talked to that told you this. The NFLPA and the owners have been negotiating. Haynesworth's deal has not been the issue. The primary issue has been the league trying to take back the players' cut of the league's revenues and the rookie wage scale. The owners were going to opt out of the CBA before the Haynesworth deal because they didn't like the CBA to which they agreed.

Posted by: learnedhand1

First of all, this has been reported on, including interviews with players and agents. I've seen a few, and its not like they are hard to find. Second, its common sense. When someone acts inappropriately, as Albert has, there is a reaction. Third the CBA isn't about one issue. There are lots of parts to it. Are large contracts with up front guarantees among the issues. Yes. Did Albert, by taking one of the largest up front guarantees ever and then creating a mess, harm the union's bargaining position? Yes it did.

I think TENN reached out cynically to see if a frustrated Team Shanahan could be tempted with a 4th round pick for a player of much greater value.

Posted by: MistaMoe | September 8, 2010 6:45 PM

For a 4th rounder and one of their DTs that would translate well to a 3-4 RDE, I'd take it and be happy.

We're talking AH during Dall-ass Week. This whole thing is so ridiculous that the only favorable outcome is one that leads to an end to this madness.

Addition by subtraction. Do you think if the Cowdungs didn't wise up and pull the plug on TO they would have ever found out what they had in Miles Austin? Some guy we haven't heard of (or overlooked completely) might be that guy for us...

ITA. The way that #@%!*^ AH has been jerking everyone around, the Skins should get rid of him for sure even if they have to can his ass because nothing of value is offered in a trade. They will still have a good, solid D with a DL of Kemo, Goldy and Carry, and Fatha Phil there as a backup.

"The best question, again, is who initiated the trade talk--TENN or Washington?"

I would expect it's been going on since Albert didn't show at camp. The club hasn't been too subtle about it, after all. No more than Albert has been about his desire to leave.

Tennessee is just one candidate. They've got draft choices and problems on their d-line, so they're naturally in the discussion.

I'd be surprised if Albert gets traded during the season. Makes more sense to tough it through and see what you can get for him later. But there's so much ill will that they may not be able to restrain themselves.

Let's deal with Fat Albert's not meeting with the team at half time - this is simply not acceptable. His tenure at Washington has demonstrated NO INTENSITY that would excuse him from being with the TEAM! In fact, I'd contend Fat Albert prepares more for his flops and excuses to get off the field than he does for his actual job performances.

We will beat the Cowpukes inspite of Fat Albert, not because of him.

2010-2011 Washington Redskin motivation - kick Dallas arse and then take the Redskin nation to the Super Bowl where we can show Jerry Jones every reason to get another face lift.

I don't know why it's such a surprise that Washington is still discussing Haynesworth trades. Wouldn't you expect that to be ongoing? Even if it's unlikely they'll find a partner, what's it hurt to see what's out there?

Albert's made it clear he hasn't changed his perspective. He's not planning on coming to camp if he's here next season, either. As far as he's concerned, it's his right, and nobody is going to change his mind.

Lots of water has passed under the bridge, and it still looks like a divorce situation. That essential element hasn't changed.

At #1: Playing for a trade - TWISI
At #2: You have to play in order to fake an injury - hessone (although I'm not sure you have to put any effort into that)
At #3: He just wants to rip someones head off - chrislarry
At #4: Playing for a trip to Johney Rockets - Poopy_McPoop (sorry Poopy, no more #2)
At #5: Just because it's regular season - Stu27

He is so pissed and sick of this (self-created)fiasco that he just wants to rip someones head off?

Posted by: chrislarry | September 8, 2010 8:27 PM |

Nice try but no cigar. He went to AM class. That cured him of wanting to do anything to anybody else's bean. Tiger Woods went to DM class and that cured him of being a horndog. Didn't save his marriage but he can use it on his next one.

Don't hold your breath waiting for an answer. There is only one thing that motivates AH and that is money and well his pockets are straight.

In retrospect not signing him was the right move but if Danny/Vinny couldn't live w/o him then he should have been signed to an incentive laded contract. Giving the guy 31 of his 41 million guaranteed in the first year was f'ing unforgivable. If he ever signs another contract, nobody is going to give him anything guaranteed.

I'd get Tenn back on the phone and not hang up until there was a deal.

Here's what I would take in exchange for AH
2011 3rd or
2011 5th and Kenny Britt or
2011 5th and either Sen'Derrick Marks or Jason Jones.

1. The dud will be available to highest bidder when the Skins release him at or before the end of 2010.

2. If a team were to hand over draft picks and/or players what assurance do they have that he wouldn't loaf for them the way he has loafed for the Skins. The dud has his $$$ pile. Why would he want to be something other than a baker? It's a merc world.

I feel he will play hard, simply for pride. On the national stage, with the lights on and the nation watching he will play hard. He may not have any sense, he may be a selfish basket case, but I do beleive he has pride, and will take pride in his performance Sunday night.

This whole thing is a ruse. Coach and the big guy planned it all out back in that early spring meeting. The media takes the bait (spoiled athlete vs. hard-nosed coach!) and runs with it. And the opposition doesn't know how to game plan to start the season. Control and confuse. Classic Shanahan.

The Titans offering a 4th round pick is a joke. That's the only reason Haynesworth is here. A decent offer and he was outta here. This is way you also can't get emotional with this situation. Showcase Haynesworth in situations where he'll dominate (nickle packages, scheming one v one matchups. Hopefully AH does what best for his interest, as he always does, and balls out early in the year, so that the Skins can get the 2nd rounder they want to use to get VJak by the trading deadline.

Who would you start, Garcon for Indy against Houston's D (rated top 15 against pass last year) or Anquan Bolding for BAL against Jets D (and Revis)? Leaning towards Garcon but hate to leave Boldin on the bench...

Hey Peeps, thanks for the input. As I expected, the vast majority of people believe that Fat Albert can only be motivated by what he thinks benefits Fat Albert.

We may see some good play from him, but only if he believes it will get him out of town. This will be a real test for Shanahan. He needs to convince Albert to play well enough for long enough to get the trade value he wants, but not wait too long so that Albert sours on the situation and throws another tantrum.

Hopefully, the Cowpukes' weak O-line will help Fat Albert look extra good so that Tenn. will cough up the required pick right away.

Short answer: you got nothing but your supposition and conjecture. If support for your statement is so easy to find please present it. Certainly the CBA negotiations will touch upon many issues but up-front guarantees for veterans is here to stay.

yeah, LH1, I think he'll have a good season. Looking at Houston this evening, it seems like they have a ton of young talent looking to prove themselves on D in general, secondary in particular. But it's Manning and too many weapons.

Peace out, it's like Christmas Eve in the Longballs household. Yahoo for NFL...yahoo for me!

Has anyone ever stopped to think that maybe Shanahan and AH have been talking and they have allowed these leaks as a little gamesmanship ahead of Sunday's game? This FO has been pretty good about not letting information out except what they want to get out. This isn't Zornerrato.

Landry's coverage skills are suspect at best. I'd rather have London on him although I know that's not really his role.

Posted by: scampbell1975 | September 8, 2010 10:50 PM

It is quite true that he often strugles in coverage against WRs, and double moves are his achilles heel. He seems to do pretty well in coverage against TEs from what I have observed. His speed keeps TEs from being able to get much separation, and he's big enough that he doesn't often get overpowered.

As for our LBs, Rocky seems to be the best in coverage of our starters. If Carter has to cover Witten I'll be terrified.

It is quite true that he often strugles in coverage against WRs, and double moves are his achilles heel. He seems to do pretty well in coverage against TEs from what I have observed. His speed keeps TEs from being able to get much separation, and he's big enough that he doesn't often get overpowered.

As for our LBs, Rocky seems to be the best in coverage of our starters. If Carter has to cover Witten I'll be terrified.

Posted by: kaasmaster | September 8, 2010 11:19 PM

Rocky does do pretty well in coverage. Let's hope you're right about Landry. Now that he's strong he should be up on the TE's and in short middle field more often.

Certainly the CBA negotiations will touch upon many issues but up-front guarantees for veterans is here to stay.

Posted by: learnedhand1 | September 8, 2010 10:43 PM

That cretainly is likely to be true. However, the Owners may bargain for increased ability to recoup bonus money from players if they pull a Haynesworth. If the owners had a stronger method of going after bonus money, then Albert may not have been able to controll the situation like he has.

In any rate, the owners will most likely find a way to tweak future contracts in a way that will reduce a player's ability to pull a similar stunt.

In any rate, the owners will most likely find a way to tweak future contracts in a way that will reduce a player's ability to pull a similar stunt.

Posted by: kaasmaster | September 8, 2010 11:37 PM |

Such as the "Diva clause" in Crabtree's contract? I'm sure that there will be rules instituted to protect teams from idiots like fatty robbing them blind. That's what performance based contracts are all about. I would like to see those become more the norm.

9. WR Malcolm Kelly said he should have done a better job telling the Redskins how bad his hamstring injury was before training camp. That would have led to them putting him on the Physically Unable to Perform list instead of eventually landing on injured reserve and lost for the season.

“I told them what was wrong, but at the same time who wants to be hurt on the first day of camp? So you don’t tell them every little thing,” Kelly said.

Goddamit kelly. this is also a reason that dhall may want to keep his mouth shut instead of pointing the finger at the medical and training staff, but what do I know.

Short answer: you got nothing but your supposition and conjecture. If support for your statement is so easy to find please present it. Certainly the CBA negotiations will touch upon many issues but up-front guarantees for veterans is here to stay.

It also puts the NFLPA in a difficult spot, since it will have to take a stand publicly defending Haynesworth. While players such as Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson and New England Patriots guard Logan Mankins want lucrative new deals, Haynesworth became the highest paid player in history at his position — and then chose not to honor the contract because he didn’t like the way he was going to be used in the Redskins defense.

In the end, the NFLPA will have to defend Haynesworth. But that will not endear it to the public at a time when it is gearing up to battle the NFL on a new collective bargaining agreement.

"The Cowboys are 2-3 when facing a Haslett-coached defense. They routed Pittsburgh, 37-7, on opening day 1997 in Haslett's debut as the Steelers' defensive coordinator. They lost twice against against New Orleans, producing a total of 20 points, when Haslett was head coach. The Cowboys split two games against St. Louis, scoring a total of 49 point, when Haslett was the defensive coordinator."

A 60% chance of our defense getting the better of Romo and his inept line? I'll take that.

On the AH tip, I wish Shanahan wouldn't be arrogant about this trade...if this deal is done for a 4th rounder, you take it and be happy you got something. I'd see if I can get one of their DTs that might translate well to the 3-4 RDE spot (Tony Brown, Senderrick Marks, Jovan Haye) to go with the 4th rounder to make it worth our while immediately. I just don't get how they can't see that NOBODY else would even touch this guy. We have absolutely no leverage here...get what you can get and move on.

Both VJax and AH are being dealt with appropriately. I can't imagine a trade for VJax, with both Vjax and AH on the Redskins roster. That would be a move Cerrato would make and we hope those days are long gone. 3 more days !!!!

brown, I have more of an issue with some other rankings this guy has made than the McNabb ranking. That said, if you drop a couple players ranked higher than McNabb that don't deserve the rank they got, I'd move him up a couple notches.

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